“THEY are very friendly,” says one resident. “They wander into your home as bold as brass, grab anything shiny or open jars of food. It’s fine when it’s cookies, but one went for my aspirin bottle once – I had visions of finding it overdosed in my bathroom.”

Yes, you’ve guessed it, monkeys. Well, vervet monkeys to be precise. They are the blight of those living close to nature in this part of the world, and residents of Zimbali Coastal Resort in South Africa are very close to nature indeed. This 700-hectare (1,700acre) resort has one of the three remaining coastal forests of the subtropical Dolphin Coast in KwaZulu-Natal. The indigenous plants and trees around the villas here are full of bushbuck, thick-tailed bushbaby and more than 220 species of birdlife. In fact, the whole ethos of Zimbali is to operate in harmony with nature.

Zimbali was established a decade ago and is now a leader in environmentally sensitive developments. When the resort was built, a deliberate effort was made to conserve the plant-covered dunes that border the 3.5km (2 mile) beach and to limit building and development along the shore. The wisdom of this approach became apparent earlier this year when, all along the coast, sea levels reached the greatest heights in living memory. Elsewhere, beach-front homes and businesses were washed away but minimal damage occurred at Zimbali because of the dunes.

The idyllic environment is also a very secure one. This is important, as safety is a huge issue in South Africa. Outsiders may find the huge emphasis on security a little strange, but concern is necessary at Zimbali as elsewhere in South Africa and numerous security gates control access to the residences. Once inside, however, you are a world away from any worries about personal safety, with a stunning 18-hole championship golf course, spa, tennis courts, horseriding along the beach and a country lodge with bar and a quality restaurant.

With all this sport in the complex, it is hardly surprising that local lad and South African cricketer of the year Shaun Pollock has bought a home here and is an ambassador for the resort. “Last year I only spent 35 days in my own bed, due to a very long cricket season,” he says. But now, as he comes to the end of a successful international career, he feels that he has done enough travelling and is becoming more aware of just how much is on offer right on his doorstep. “I am a family man now, with two young daughters,” he explains. And so he prefers to spend any time away from the game with his nearest and dearest at home.

“I am currently overseeing the build of my villa at Zimbali – it should be finished some time next year – and I am looking forward to whiling away the hours on the golf course and messing about in the water with my kids.”

Demand for property here is huge – mainly from the stockbrokers and business professionals from Johannesburg – and homes in the resort are at the top end of South Africa’s property market: one beachside villa is on the market for R35 million (£2.5 million). In the past ten years, property prices in the resort have risen by more than 1,000 per cent. A recently formed partnership of IFA Hotels & Resorts and a local company, Moreland Developments, is developing Zimbali Lakes Resort; IFA is also offering fractional-ownership homes at its private residence club, Fairmont Heritage Place. Prices for a share in a two-bedroom 340 sq m townhouse will start at R685,000 (£49,382); a share in a four-bedroom 625 sq m home will begin at R1.3 million (£93,825).

Some overseas investors might be put off by the thought of the long-haul flight to South Africa, or by the prospect of living with 24-hour security, but many will be tempted by the beautiful setting and the tranquil nature of the resort.

And, if you’re lucky, you might bump into a famous South African sportsman for a friendly chat. Not quite as amiable as the monkeys, naturally, but then he won’t be after your cookies.

FACTFILE

It takes at least 13 hours to reach Zimbali Coastal Resort, including an 11-hour flight to Johannesburg, an hour on an internal flight to Durban, and a 45-minute drive to the resort.

The Gateway Theatre of Shopping, the largest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere, is 25km away at Umhlanga.

The Big Five – elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo – can be seen at several game parks in the area.

Further information: www.zimbali.co.za ; www.fairmontzimbali.com

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